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Andrew's Collection

Earth   04/14/2011

Sugar Factory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Source 2 x DPA 4060 mics -> DPA MMA6000 amplifier (100 Hz low-cut filter) -> Edirol R-09HR recorder (44.1 kHz/16 bit WAV) -> Audacity 1.3.12-beta (tracks split, fades added) -> FLAC (compression level 8) [libFLAC 1.2.1 20070917]
Media Flac CDR   1 disc
Tech Notes "NOTES:

Slow-motion, minimal, ambient rock stalwarts, Earth, were in Amsterdam for a
warm-up prior to their Friday appearance at Tilburg's Roadburn Festival.

Devoid of roadies, they appeared on stage in the Sugar Factory's intimate
surroundings as Sabbath Assembly departed, and began to ready their equipment
for the gig.

Preparations were complete by 21:15 and, with the band already on stage, it
was a low-key start to the evening's main event.

85 minutes of unobtrusively sparse riffs and steadily tinkled drums follow,
drawn along on an undercurrent of droning cello and plodding bass. These eight
pieces of music -- I hesitate to call them songs when no-one is singing --
distend to easily fill the available temporal space.

The rests are as momentous as the notes here. Dylan Carson feels no obligation
to fill the void with his guitar. Why play ten notes when one will do?

Adrienne Davies complements with unwaveringly spartan percussion, applying
just enough force to maintain the momentum, ensuring that the piece continues
to lurch forward under its own weight. It takes actual discipline to play this
slowly and sparingly.

Each piece of music moves with the agility of a freight train pulling out of a
station. Close your eyes and you can easily imagine yourself at a gig by any
of the usual post-rock suspects. Any of the pieces performed here tonight
could be a Mogwai intro, for example, but Earth resist all temptation to use
these delicate structures as a launching pad to something more visceral.

Just when you think you've recognised the pattern and seen this all before,
your expectations are confounded. The anticipated flourishes of guitar fail to
materialise. There's no denouement, no climax and no crescendo. You wait, but
it never comes.

Lonely, cinematic soundscapes depict deserts, canyons and the surface of cold,
dead planets, far from here. It's the soundtrack to your imagination.

Glacial in imagery, glacial in tempo, Earth are in no hurry to do anything or
get anywhere. If that suits you, come along for the ride, but be prepared for
the scenic route.

As usual, I have done performed no software trickery to enhance the recording.
The sound is crystal-clear throughout, with virtually no noise from the
audience, except when applauding.

Enjoy!"
Trades Allowed Yes
Ratings Show: A    Sound: A
Owned by Andrew · Last Updated May 23, 2023